Barcelona was 'there for the taking', says Manchester City captain Kompany

Barcelona was 'there for the taking', says Manchester City captain Kompany

Frustrated Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes his side missed a massive opportunity to beat a Barcelona side that was “there for the taking” in the Champions League last-16 first leg clash.

The Premier League side was undone by a Martin Demichelis red card early in the second half for a foul on Lionel Messi, which gave the Argentina attacker the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

Dani Alves all but secured Tata Martino’s team a place in the quarterfinal with an injury time strike and Kompany, who was outstanding on the night, was left to regret a missed opportunity.

"It’s very tough," he told ITV. "By no means did we feel they were superior to us. When it was 11 vs. 11 we showed them too much respect. They were there for taking. They were not the best team we have played this season, not at all.

"They were incredibly efficient and when you play against them, you do realize the individual quality of this team is phenomenal. It just makes it so difficult to close them down.

"If they turn up at the Nou Camp in the next game and play like they're capable of playing then it's a very tough game. If the game is the same as today and we manage to keep away from small fouls we've got a chance."

City had competed well with the Spanish champions up until the moment Demichelis brought his compatriot down, marginally outside the penalty area, but as soon as Messi converted from 12 yards, the game and indeed the tie adopted a completely different complexion.

Kompany added: "I don't know [if it was a penalty]. I've not seen it. There were a lot of soft fouls today. In the Premier League there would have never been any of those fouls given. Normal challenges when you take the ball and it's a foul. I thought that if the tempo had been in this game it would've been to our advantage."